Windows NTFS Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerability (CVE-2025-24991) Analysis and Mitigation Guide
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTWindows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server families utilizing the NTFS file system driver
Local authorized attackers can disclose sensitive kernel memory information, potentially facilitating subsequent privilege escalation (EoP) attacks
Immediately apply the February 2025 Microsoft Patch Tuesday security updates and restrict local access for unauthorized users
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the latest Cumulative Update (LCU) via Windows Update. To force the update installation using PowerShell, execute the following commands:
# Install Windows Update module and trigger updates for the specific KB
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force -SkipPublisherCheck
Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB5049228, KB5049244 -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
Until patches can be deployed, restrict unauthorized users from mounting virtual disk images (.vhd, .vhdx, .iso) or external storage media.
# Disable the File System Dependency Minifilter to restrict VHD/VHDX mounting
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\FsDepends' -Name 'Start' -Value 4 -PropertyType DWord -Force3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Verify the current version of the NTFS driver (ntfs.sys) to ensure the security patch has been successfully applied.
# Check the file version of the NTFS driver
$NtfsPath = "$env:windir\System32\drivers\
tfs.sys"
if (Test-Path $NtfsPath) {
$FileVersion = (Get-Item $NtfsPath).VersionInfo.FileVersion
Write-Host 'Current NTFS Driver Version:' $FileVersion
} else {
Write-Error 'NTFS driver file not found.'
}Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-24991) exists in the Windows NTFS (New Technology File System) driver due to improper validation of input data when parsing specially crafted NTFS file system metadata or disk structures. This lack of boundary checks leads to an Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125), allowing the driver to read memory beyond the allocated buffer limits.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker with local access to the target system can exploit this vulnerability by mounting a maliciously structured NTFS volume (such as a crafted .vhdx or .iso file) or by directly manipulating disk sectors. When the NTFS driver parses the corrupted metadata records, it reads adjacent kernel memory space and returns it to the user-space process. This disclosure can expose sensitive kernel pointers, aiding in bypassing Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR).
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As this vulnerability is listed in the CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities) catalog, active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. While it does not directly allow remote code execution, the disclosed information is highly valuable for chaining with other kernel-level vulnerabilities to achieve full SYSTEM privileges, posing a significant threat to enterprise endpoints and servers.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
Out-of-bounds read in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2025-24991)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2025-24991 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2025-24991 is rated CVSS 5.5 (MEDIUM) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 2.0%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2025-24991?
Primary impacted vendors include microsoft across windows, windows_server. Scope summary: All active Windows OS versions including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 utilizing NTFS
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2025-24991 before patching?
[Mitigation] Immediately apply the February 2025 Microsoft Patch Tuesday security updates and restrict local access for unauthorized users Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2025-24991
Instantly format this advisory into an executive CISO summary or engineering patch ticket.
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